Drew is the great memory man

Retired lorry driver Drew Mitchell laughs when he admits he sometimes can hardly remember what he ate for dinner the previous night.

But Drew, now 78, can remember EVERY name of the girls and boys in his primary three class.

That was the class of 1946 at the now demolished Whitletts Primary in Ayr.

And Drew said: “It is funny how school can make such a lasting impression.

“There were 40 in our class and this picture has 36 of us in it. I can even tell you the names of the four who were off that day.”

In those days Drew, who now lives at Tarholm near Auchincruive, lived across from his school at 43 Main Road, Whitletts.

He is pictured back row far right in this line- up outside the school and added: “A good few of them are now gone.”

Back row, left to right, Sam Taylor, Hugh McCoftry, Johnny Simpson, Baw Whiteside, Wully Simpson, Lewy Douglas, Eligha Port, John Cuthbert, Jim Kerr, Alex McKie, Tam Gemmel and Drew Mitchell.

Middle, left to right, Morris Telfer, Norman Taylor, Ronny Callan, George McWilliams, Jessy Kane, Mauren Telfer, Bertha Baretty, Lizy McPike, Sheala McClimate, Mick Kerr, Cory Kerr and Jim Kane.

Front, left to right, Marion Colvile, Reana McClimate, Lily Conllin, Jude Douglas, Ann Stewart, Twins Bell, Sheala Robertson, Anny Fergy, Jeanett Lawrie, Lillian Thornton and Margret Scott.

Absent are: Ronald Lawrie, Alex Ross, Billy Dunlop and Lizy Smylie.